Storage apparatus, memory card accessing apparatus and method of reading/writing the same

ABSTRACT

A storage apparatus having a non-volatile memory and a controller is provided, wherein the non-volatile memory includes a root directory area and a data area, and a password file is stored in the root directory area. The controller identifies a user by using a password in the password file, and the user can access the data area through an encryption/decryption unit of the controller only if the user passes the identification. By using the secured storage apparatus, the risk of the password and encrypted data being cracked is reduced. Accordingly, the protection over the data stored in the storage apparatus is enhanced.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a storage apparatus, a memory card accessing apparatus, and methods of reading/writing the same, in particular, to a secured storage apparatus, a secured memory card accessing apparatus, and methods of reading/writing the same.

2. Description of Related Art

A memory card is a data storage device, and a flash memory is usually used therein as the storage media thereof. A flash memory is an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) and which offers high re-record-ability, power-free storage etc. Besides, a flash memory is a kind of non-volatile memory therefore it has the advantages of non-volatile memories such as small volume, high accessing rate, and low power consumption. Moreover, a flash memory has high operation rate because easing data stored therein is made in a unit of block.

Memory card has been broadly applied to personal data storage due to its characteristics of small volume, large capacity, and portability. However, if a memory card is lost, the data stored therein may also be stolen.

To resolve foregoing problem, a password identification program is usually stored in a memory card. A user has to execute the password identification program in a host when the user plugs the memory card into the host. The password identification program may compare the password entered by the user with the one stored in the memory card. If the two passwords do not match or the password identification program is not executed, the host only detects part of the memory space in the memory card so that the user cannot read all the data stored in the memory card. If the two passwords match each other, then the user can use the entire memory card as normal.

However, according to the method described above, the password stored in the memory card has to be read (for example, into the host) to be compared with the password entered by the user, which increases the risk of the password being cracked. Moreover, the password identification program can be easily cracked even without a password for it is executed in the host. Accordingly, the personal data of the user may be stolen once the password identification program or the password is cracked.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a storage apparatus which reduces the risk of a password and encrypted data being cracked, and accordingly, protects the personal data stored in the storage apparatus against theft.

The present invention is directed to a memory card accessing apparatus which reduces the risk of a password and encrypted data being cracked, and accordingly, protects the personal data stored in a memory card against theft.

The present invention provides a method of reading/writing a storage apparatus, wherein the method reduces the risk of a password and encrypted data being cracked, and accordingly, protects the personal data stored in the storage apparatus against theft.

The present invention provides a method of reading/writing a memory card accessing apparatus, wherein the method reduces the risk of a password and encrypted data being cracked, and accordingly, protects the personal data stored in a memory card against theft.

The present invention provides a storage apparatus including a non-volatile memory, a controller, and an encryption/decryption unit. The non-volatile memory includes a root directory area and a data area, wherein a password file containing a personal password is stored in the root directory area. The controller is electrically connected to the non-volatile memory and is used for controlling the operation of the storage apparatus and communicating with a host through a universal interface. The encryption/decryption unit is disposed in the controller and has a key. The controller detects whether the password file is written, and the controller triggers a password comparison operation when a user of the host writes into the password file. During the password comparison operation, the controller compares the password entered by the user with the personal password stored in the password file in order to identify the user. If the password entered by the user matches the personal password in the password file, the user is allowed to access the data stored in the data area, and if the password entered by the user does not match the personal password in the password file, the user is prohibited from accessing the data stored in the data area. The encryption/decryption unit uses the key to encrypt and decrypt the data stored in the data area of the non-volatile memory.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the non-volatile memory is a flash memory.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the flash memory is a NAND flash memory.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the universal interface is a universal serial bus (USB) interface.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the universal interface is an IEEE1394 interface.

The present invention provides a memory card accessing apparatus including a controller, a memory card interface, a universal interface, and an encryption/decryption unit. The controller compares a personal password in a password file stored in a memory card and controls the operation of the memory card accessing apparatus. The memory card interface is electrically connected to the controller and is used for communicating with the memory card. The universal interface is electrically connected to the controller and is used for communicating with a host. The encryption/decryption unit is disposed in the controller and has a key. The controller detects whether the password file is written, and the controller triggers a password comparison operation when a user of the host writes into the password file. During the password comparison operation, the controller compares the password entered by the user with the personal password stored in the password file in order to identify the user. If the password entered by the user matches the personal password in the password file, the user is allowed to access the data stored in the memory card, and if the password entered by the user does not match the personal password in the password file, the user is prohibited from accessing the data stored in the memory card. The encryption/decryption unit uses the key to encrypt and decrypt the data stored in the memory card.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the memory card is a multi-media card (MMC), a secure digital (SD) card, or a compact flash (CF) card.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the universal interface is a USB interface.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the universal interface is an IEEE1394 interface.

The present invention provides a method of reading/writing a storage apparatus. The method includes following steps. First, whether a password file is stored in a root directory area of a non-volatile memory is determined. If the password file is found, a password entered by a user and a personal password stored in the password file are then compared. If the password entered by the user matches the personal password in the password file, the user is allowed to perform a reading operation or a writing operation in a data area of the non-volatile memory, and if the password entered by the user does not match the personal password in the password file, the user is prohibited from performing the reading operation or the writing operation in the data area of the non-volatile memory.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, while performing the writing operation, the storage apparatus first encrypts data to be written using the key and then stores the encrypted data in the data area; and while performing the reading operation, the storage apparatus first decrypts data to be read using the key and then transmits the decrypted data.

The present invention provides a method of reading/writing a memory card accessing apparatus. The method includes following steps. First, whether a password file is stored in a root directory area of a memory card is determined. If the password file is found, a password entered by a user and a personal password stored in the password file are then compared. If the password entered by the user matches the personal password in the password file, the user is allowed to perform a reading operation or a writing operation in a data area of the memory card, and if the password entered by the user does not match the personal password in the password file, the user is prohibited from performing the reading operation or the writing operation in the data area of the memory card.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, while performing the writing operation, the memory card accessing apparatus first encrypts data to be written using the key and then stores the encrypted data in the data area; and while performing the reading operation, the memory card accessing apparatus first decrypts data to be read using the key and then transmits the decrypted data.

According to the present invention, the password and key stored in a storage apparatus are used to protect data, and password comparison and data encryption are both performed for the storage apparatus. Thus, the risk of the password and encrypted data being cracked is reduced. Accordingly, the protection over the data stored in the storage apparatus is enhanced.

According to the present invention, the password stored in a memory card and the key stored in a memory card accessing apparatus are used to protect data, and password comparison and data encryption are both performed for the memory card accessing apparatus. Thus, the risk of the password and encrypted data being cracked is reduced. Accordingly, the protection over the data stored in the memory card is enhanced.

According to the method of reading/writing a storage apparatus provided by the present invention, the password and key stored in the storage apparatus are used for identifying a user and encrypting the data stored in the storage apparatus. Thus, the protection over the data stored in the storage apparatus is enhanced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a storage apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a user identification procedure in a storage apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates the flowcharts of performing a reading operation and a writing operation in a storage apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a memory card accessing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a storage apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the storage apparatus 100 includes a controller 102 and a non-volatile memory 104.

The non-volatile memory 104 includes a root directory area 106 and a data area 108. A password file 106 a is stored in the root directory area 106, and a personal password may be stored in the password file 106 a by a user or an apparatus vendor for identifying the user. The data area 108 includes a plurality of memory cells 108 a for storing data. The non-volatile memory 104 may be a flash memory or other storage media. In the present embodiment, the non-volatile memory 104 is a NAND flash memory.

The controller 102 controls the operation of the storage apparatus 100 and communicates with a host 150 through a universal interface (not shown). The controller 102 includes an encryption/decryption unit 102 a having a key, wherein the encryption/decryption unit 102 a uses this key to encrypt/decrypt the data stored in the data area 108 of the non-volatile memory 104. The operation of the storage apparatus 100 will be described in details below with reference to accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a user identification procedure in the storage apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to both FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, when the storage apparatus 100 is plugged into the host 150 (or connected to the host 150) and is turned on, the controller 102 of the storage apparatus 100 reads the information in the root directory area 106 and looks for the password file containing the personal password (step S201). In step S203, after the controller 102 finds the password file, the controller 102 records the cluster of the password file and detects whether the password file is written. An identification request for password comparison is triggered when a user of the host 150 writes into the password file (step S205), and the data written into the password file by the user is the password to be compared (step S207).

When the controller 102 receives the password entered by the user from the host 150, the controller 102 reads the password file from the cluster in the root directory area 106 wherein the password file is recorded and compares the received password with the personal password read from the password file in order to identify the user (step S209). If the two passwords match each other, the controller 102 allows the host 150 to perform a read operation or a write operation in the entire non-volatile memory 104 (step S211). If the two passwords do not match each other, the controller 102 only allows the host 150 to read data in the root directory area 106 of the non-volatile memory 104 and responds 0×00 to any other read operation (step S213).

In the present embodiment of the present invention, the controller 102 determines that no personal password is set if the controller 102 cannot find the password file in the root directory area 106. Thus, the host 150 can perform freely the read operation and the write operation in the entire non-volatile memory 104.

In the present embodiment of the present invention, when the controller 102 cannot find the password file in the root directory area 106 and determines that no personal password is set, the controller 102 allows the host 150 to write a new password file into the root directory area 106 in order to set the personal password and protect the storage apparatus 100. In addition, when the user identification is passed, the controller 102 also allows the host 150 to write a new password file into the root directory area 106 for replacing the old password file in order to set a new personal password and protect the storage apparatus 100.

FIG. 3 illustrates the flowcharts of the reading operation and the writing operation in the storage apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, if the host 150 wants to write data into the data area 108 of the non-volatile memory 104 (step S301 a) after the user identification is passed, the encryption/decryption unit 102 a first encrypts the data to be written using the key stored therein (step S303 a) and then stores the encrypted data in the data area 108 (step S305 a).

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, if the host 150 wants to read data from the data area 108 of the non-volatile memory 104 (step S301 b) after the user identification is passed, the encryption/decryption unit 102 a first decrypts the data to be read using the key stored therein (step S303 b) and then transmits the decrypted data to the host 150 (step S305 b).

In the present embodiment of the present invention, the controller 102 may further include a record area (not shown) for recording the number of unsuccessful password comparisons, and when the number of unsuccessful password comparisons exceeds a predetermined threshold (for example, 3), the storage apparatus may be locked so that the data stored in the storage apparatus cannot be accessed.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a user has to pass the password identification before the user read data stored in a storage apparatus. Moreover, the data stored in the storage apparatus is encrypted by using a hardware key, thus, the protection over the data stored in the storage apparatus is enhanced.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a memory card accessing apparatus 400 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the memory card accessing apparatus 400 includes a universal interface 402, a memory card interface 404, and a controller 406.

The universal interface 402 is used for communicating with a host 450. The universal interface 402 may be a USB interface, an IEEE1394 interface, or other data communication interface.

The memory card interface 404 is used for communicating with a memory card 440 plugged into the memory card accessing apparatus 400. The memory card interface 404 is a communication interface compatible to MMC, SD card, CF card, or the combination thereof.

The controller 406 controls the operation of the memory card accessing apparatus 400. The controller 406 includes an encryption/decryption unit 406 a which is used for encrypting/decrypting the data in the memory card 440. The operation of the memory card accessing apparatus 400 will be described in details below with reference to accompanying drawings.

Referring to both FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, when the memory card 440 is plugged into the memory card accessing apparatus 400 which is connected to the host 450, the controller 406 looks for a password file containing a personal password in the root directory area of the memory card 440 (step S201). After the controller 406 finds the password file, the controller 406 records the cluster of the password file (step S203) and detects whether the password file is written. An identification request for password comparison is triggered when a user of the host 450 writes into the password file (step S205), and the data written into the password file by the user is the password to be compared (step S207).

When the controller 406 receives the password entered by the user from the host 450, the controller 406 reads the password file from the cluster in the memory card 440 wherein the password file is recorded and compares the password received from the host 450 with the personal password read from the password file in order to identify the user (step S209). If the two passwords match each other, the controller 406 allows the host 450 to perform a read operation or a write operation in the entire memory card 440 (step S211). If the two passwords do not match each other, the controller 406 only allows the host 450 to read data in the root directory area of the memory card 440 and responds 0×00 to any other read operation (step S213).

In the present embodiment of the present invention, the controller 406 determines that no personal password is set if the controller 406 cannot find the password file. Thus, the controller 406 allows the host 450 to perform freely the read operation or the write operation in the entire memory card 440.

In the present embodiment of the present invention, when the controller 406 cannot find the password file and determines that no personal password is set, the controller 406 allows the host 450 to write a new password file into the memory card 440 in order to set the personal password and protect the memory card 440. In addition, when the user identification is passed, the controller 406 also allows the host 450 to write a new password file for replacing the old password file in order to set a new personal password and protect the memory card 440.

In the present embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3( a), if the host 450 wants to write a data into the memory card 440 (step S301 a) after the user identification is passed, the encryption/decryption unit 406 a first encrypts the data to be written using the key stored therein (S303 a) and then stores the encrypted data in the memory card 440 through the memory card interface 404 (step S305 a).

In addition, as shown in FIG. 3( b), if the host 450 wants to read a data from the memory card 440 (step S301 b) after the user identification is passed, the encryption/decryption unit 406 a first decrypts the data to be read using the key stored therein (step S303 b) and then transmits the decrypted data to the host 450 through the universal interface 402 (step S305 b).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a user has to pass the password identification before the user read the data stored in a memory card. Moreover, the data stored in the memory card is encrypted by using a hardware key, thus, the protection over the data stored in the memory card is enhanced by accessing the data with the memory card accessing apparatus in the present embodiment.

In overview, according to the present invention, the storage apparatus has an encryption/decryption unit and a special password file is stored in the memory. Thus, the storage apparatus can identify a user and encrypt the data stored therein. Accordingly, the protection over the personal data is enhanced. Moreover, it is not necessary to use any additional hardware equipment or change any driving program in the host.

According to the present invention, the memory card accessing apparatus has an encryption/decryption unit and stores a special password file in a memory card plugged into the memory card accessing apparatus. Thus, the memory card accessing apparatus can identify a user and encrypt the data stored in the memory card. Accordingly, the protection over the personal data is enhanced. Moreover, it is not necessary to use any additional hardware equipment or change any driving program in the host.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents. 

1. A storage apparatus, comprising: a non-volatile memory including a root directory area and a data area, wherein a password file comprising a personal password is stored in the root directory area; a controller electrically connected to the non-volatile memory for controlling the operation of the storage apparatus and communicating with a host through a universal interface; and an encryption/decryption unit disposed in the controller and having a key, wherein the controller detects whether the password file is written, and the controller triggers a password comparison operation when a user of the host writes into the password file, wherein during the password comparison operation, the controller compares a password entered by the user with the personal password stored in the password file in order to identify the user, and if the password entered by the user matches the personal password in the password file, the user is allowed to access the data stored in the data area, while if the password entered by the user does not match the personal password in the password file, the user is prohibited from accessing the data stored in the data area.
 2. The storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the encryption/decryption unit uses the key to encrypt and decrypt the data stored in the data area of the non-volatile memory.
 3. The storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the non-volatile memory is a flash memory.
 4. The storage apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the flash memory is a NAND flash memory.
 5. The storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the universal interface is an universal serial bus (USB) interface.
 6. The storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the universal interface is an IEEE1394 interface.
 7. A memory card accessing apparatus, comprising: a controller for comparing a personal password in a password file stored in a memory card and controlling the operation of the memory card accessing apparatus; a memory card interface, electrically connected to the controller, for communicating with the memory card; and an universal interface electrically connected to the controller for communicating with a host. wherein the controller detects whether the password file is written, and the controller triggers a password comparison operation when a user of the host writes into the password file, wherein during the password comparison operation, the controller compares a password entered by the user with the personal password stored in the password file in order to identify the user, and if the password entered by the user matches the personal password in the password file, the user is allowed to access the data stored in the memory card, while if the password entered by the user does not match the personal password in the password file, the user is prohibited from accessing the data stored in the memory card.
 8. The memory card accessing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising an encryption/decryption unit, wherein the encryption/decryption unit is disposed in the controller and has a key.
 9. The memory card accessing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the encryption/decryption unit uses the key to encrypt and decrypt the data stored in the memory card.
 10. The memory card accessing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the memory card is a multi-media card (MMC), a secure digital (SD) card, or a compact flash (CF) card.
 11. The memory card accessing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the universal interface is a USB interface.
 12. The memory card accessing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the universal interface is an IEEE1394 interface.
 13. A method of reading/writing a storage apparatus, the method comprising: determining whether a password file is stored in a root directory area of a non-volatile memory; detecting whether a user writes data into the password file; comparing the data written by the user with a personal password in the password file if the user writes the data into the password file; allowing the user to perform a reading operation or a writing operation in a data area of the non-volatile memory if the data entered by the user matches the personal password in the password file; and prohibiting the user from performing the reading operation or the writing operation in the data area of the non-volatile memory if the data entered by the user does not match the personal password in the password file.
 14. The read/write method according to claim 13, wherein while performing the writing operation, the storage apparatus first encrypts data to be written using a key stored in the storage apparatus and then stores the encrypted data in the data area, and while performing the reading operation, the storage apparatus first decrypts data to be read using the key and then transmits the decrypted data.
 15. A method of reading/writing a memory card accessing apparatus, the method comprising: determining whether a password file is stored in a root directory area of a memory card; detecting whether a user writes data into the password file; comparing the data written by the user with a personal password in the password file if the user writes the data into the password file; allowing the user to perform a reading operation or a writing operation in a data area of the memory card if the data entered by the user matches the personal password in the password file; and prohibiting the user from performing the reading operation or the writing operation in the data area of the memory card if the data entered by the user does not match the personal password in the password file.
 16. The read/write method according to claim 15, wherein while performing the writing operation, the memory card accessing apparatus first encrypts data to be written using a key stored in the memory card accessing apparatus and then stores the encrypted data in the data area, and while performing the reading operation, the memory card accessing apparatus first decrypts data to be read using the key and then transmits the decrypted data. 